Reunion

When I was in high school I had a wonderful teacher named Mr. Fine. He was a lovely man and had a flair for teaching history with a touch of romance. He brought alive the Renaissance period for me like no other and introduced me to Franco Zeferelli's Romeo and Juliet and the beautiful film Brother Son Sister Moon and I became a lifelong admirer of St. Francis of Assisi as a result.

Well, as it turns out, I was not the only fan of Mr.Fine and when I innocently suggested a gathering of former students it turned into a end of summer soiree hosted by the lovely Marion and Mr. Fine (I still find it hard to call him Robert) So much food and drink and great company, not to mention an amazing skyline!

My friend Beth came all the way from Pennsylvania with her lovely husband, my old friends Lisa and Mark Gabourie came much to my delight. Heather Cameron came of course and my steadfast pal Alan MacDonald arrived with his pretty girlfriend. Kelly MacGillis Richards came, as did Frank Kakouras and my new friend Jodhi Ananmalays. Regrets were sent by my brother Gregg and Debbie, Christine Rogers, Valerie Gierman, Celestine Hunter, Melissa Annan, Menis Schwill and Kerry Milford.

What an amazing time we all had. Mr. Fine was in fine form and I met many relatives and friends of his. It occured to me that there are not many former students who can gather some thirty some years later and reminise and laugh and share amazing lessons taught by Mr. Fine, who I learned won the Governor General's Award for Teaching. Well done Mr. Fine!

On a personal note health problems have slowed me down somewhat and I was so happy to be reuinited with old friends. Also, in high school I was absent often with health issues and so, I have a special affinity for friends who remember me and all my antics. Did you know I was there when someone who shall remain nameless dropped her cigarette on a paper towel and Mrs. Hagerman came in and doused me with fire repellent? Uh huh. That was me.

After I went home, I listened to a favourite tune of mine. Bookends, by Simon and Garfunkel.

"Time it was, and what a time it was, it was
A time of innocence, a time of confidences
Long ago, it must be, I have a photograph
Preserve your memories, they're all that's left you"

Thanks for helping me recall and preserve some wonderful, touching memories Mr. Fine and all th alumni of Ajax High School.

Linda Grace XXOO

Life Goes On

Four months ago today we lost our beloved Gran, our Queen Mum. Eva Forster Peckover passed away in her sleep at age 96.

I wrote her euglogy and can say in all honesty it was the most difficult piece I have ever written. To sum up 96 years for a 20 minute speech kept me up night after night.

Memories came flooding back. Time moved slowly as my mind tried to express itself through my grief and numbness. The reality of losing her, is only just hitting me. And, as is always the case, it is the little things I miss the most. I miss her cheeky smile, her loud pronouncements of evildoers in the neighbourhood (parking in front of her apartment is one example - they blocked her view of the neighbours comings and goings). I miss her declarations of what made a good cup of tea. I miss her slipping my Yorkie, Reese, roast beef as the pup sat patiently waiting under the dining room table. I miss leaning down to kiss her goodbye.

They say grief is a natural extension of loving someone. You don't grieve for someone you did not love. I loved my Gran very, very much and will miss her everyday for the rest of my life.

I have found the summer has numbly passed me by. Samuel is 15 now and spending a lot of time with his buddies. Caitlin is settling into her new life as a young single woman living on her own. Mum is adjusting to living without Gran.

We recently watched in horror at the ugly riots that seemed to envelop all of England. As everyone did, I wondered what drove these primarily young people to such mindless acts of violence. I read all the columns and absorbed thoughts such as "lost generation", "disenfranchised youth", "bad parenting." After absorbing these thoughts and forming a few of my own, i wondered what my Gran would have said. Well. Her thoughts would no doubt have been harsh, biting and bang on. She would have declared them "hooligans", "layabouts", and "in need of a good kick up the ass!" I also think she would have been totally perplexed at people burning their own neighbours homes and businesses down to the ground. Kids turning on their own neighbours would have been the ultimate shame of the sordid affair in Gran's mind. Her memories of England were of a nation that came together in difficult times, helped their neighbours as she certainly did time and time again.

The English are known for their stiff upper lip. Indeed, my mother represents that stereotype fully. She is loving and kind, but can be standoffish and doesn't cry easily.

During the riots, Caitlin noted that she had only seen her Nana cry three times. The first when my Dad died, the second when Andre Agassi retired from tennis and the third, when she watched her hometown of Croydon going up in flames, as though she were reliving the Blitz. Of course, she wasn't just crying for Croydon. She was crying for her Mum.

My two wonderful nephews Mitchell and Desmond are touring Europe at the moment and by all accounts indulging in German beer and late nights. They are safe, happy and having the time of their lives. As Gran would have said, they are "making memories."

Linda Grace

A New Year, A New Day

This is the time of year when most of us reflect on what has gone before us in 2010. I feel the need to write and reflect. While still struggling with my health, I have had some insightful, life changing moments.

My children continue to grow which I wish they would stop doing. My daughter has moved into her own nest with her boyfriend and going through all the adjustments that brings. She is doing very well at her job and flying across Canada on business trips. She is a strong girl with a good sense of herself and what she wants. My son is now 15 and going through many changes, with a great sense of humour and sensitivity for the most part. He is smart and at that age where he's trying to figure out this puzzle of a world and where his piece of the puzzle fits.

My 95 year old Gran is still with us but has deteriorated mentally and that is a sadness for us all. Recently, and for the first time, she did not know who I was. It seems her first grandchild was the last one she forgot albeit just for a little while.

Mum continues to care for Gran in our British family tradition of never putting a relative in a nursing home. She struggles daily but her devotion to Gran is inspiring and heartwarming. She sacrifices everyday to keep her at home. My goal this year is to get some daily respite for her, despite her protestations.

Friends continue to support me despite my limitations and their unwavering support and love keeps me going. From Melissa driving me to downtown Doctor appointments, to Mary-Alice ferrying my son to school when I was unable to and Bev who loves my son as though he was her own. Some friends have the ability to make me laugh and forget the bad stuff. Menis comes to mind. Her memories of life in LA (Lower Ajax) bring me to my knees.

This year I moved from a three bedroom apartment to a two bedroom townhouse. I had been ill a month prior to the move and as luck would have it landed in hospital on moving day. I can't say enough about my dear friend Pedro and all the help he gave me. My Mum called him and he immediately dropped everything and drove two hours to visit me in hospital and then got busy moving me with Melissa, my Mum, and friend Linda. Melissa's son Nash who is studying four days a week at our local hospital, was there to hold my hand and calm me down as I fretted about putting people out.

Pedro taught me a great deal about selflessness this year. Pedro helps because he wants to and he gets a great deal of personal satisfaction out of helping in times of need - unconditionally. After the move, he drove me around as we bought things for the new place and he lifted furniture, hung pictures and built Sam a "man cave" in the basement that Sam has thoroughly enjoyed. My dear friend was also there when I had a close call medically and immediately took charge of the situation when I could not have. I am grateful and thankful that Pedro is in my world.

This year also saw some losses. A few friends lost a parent and we had to acknowledge that we are entering that phase of life. My close friend Norman lost his wonderful Mom Claudette in late November and that was a sad loss for all of us who knew the Lebrun family in LA.

I have had an interesting eventful year. When I think back over the year, family and friends were my main focus. My writing has been slow in finding its way back into my heart and fingers. But today is a new day and my goal is to get back to writing my blog for myself, family and for my friends. I thank you all for your support and encouragement of my writing. One day a friend said, "Just Do It". Well, it took a long time to find the courage to "Just Do It", but here I am at 2:00 am...doing it!

This feels good...like I discovered the right musical note again. This year I hope to write more, dig deeper, find the humour in most everything and count my many blessings. I wish you all a year filled with love, peace and balance. More than ever, with all our cell phones, Ipods and Blackberrys it is important to give yourself moments of quiet contemplation. 2011 - Bring it on!!